Insomnia and accidents: Cross-sectional study (EQUINOX) on sleep-related home, work and car accidents in 5293 subjects with insomnia from 10 countries
J Sleep Res. 2013-11-15; 23(2): 143-152
DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12104
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1. J Sleep Res. 2014 Apr;23(2):143-52. doi: 10.1111/jsr.12104. Epub 2013 Nov 15.
Insomnia and accidents: cross-sectional study (EQUINOX) on sleep-related home,
work and car accidents in 5293 subjects with insomnia from 10 countries.
Léger D(1), Bayon V, Ohayon MM, Philip P, Ement P, Metlaine A, Chennaoui M,
Faraut B.
Author information:
(1)Université Paris Descartes, APHP, Hôtel-Dieu, Centre du Sommeil et de la
Vigilance de l’Hôtel Dieu de Paris, Equipe d’accueil VIFASOM, Stanford Sleep
Epidemiology Research European Centre Paris, Paris, France.
The link between sleepiness and the risk of motor vehicle accidents is well
known, but little is understood regarding the risk of home, work and car
accidents of subjects with insomnia. An international cross-sectional survey was
conducted across 10 countries in a population of subjects with sleep
disturbances. Primary care physicians administered a questionnaire that included
assessment of sociodemographic characteristics, sleep disturbance and accidents
(motor vehicle, work and home) related to sleep problems to each subject.
Insomnia was defined using the International Classification of Sleep Disorders
(ICSD-10) criteria. A total of 5293 subjects were included in the study, of whom
20.9% reported having had at least one home accident within the past 12 months,
10.1% at least one work accident, 9% reported having fallen asleep while driving
at least once and 4.1% reported having had at least one car accident related to
their sleepiness. All types of accident were reported more commonly by subjects
living in urban compared to other residential areas. Car accidents were reported
more commonly by employed subjects, whereas home injuries were reported more
frequently by the unemployed. Car accidents were reported more frequently by
males than by females, whereas home accidents were reported more commonly by
females. Patients with insomnia have high rates of home accidents, car accidents
and work accidents related to sleep disturbances independently of any adverse
effects of hypnotic treatments. Reduced total sleep time may be one factor
explaining the high risk of accidents in individuals who complain of insomnia.
© 2013 European Sleep Research Society.
DOI: 10.1111/jsr.12104
PMID: 24237855 [Indexed for MEDLINE]